Sliema 6
Neptunes 9
(3-2, 2-1, 1-3, 0-3)
Winning the championship for a landmark 30 times was Sliema McDonald's cherished ambition this year. This benchmark was to be achieved, if possible, with a perfectly clean slate.
The first objective was achieved in style and with matches to spare, as the team set the bar at very high levels this season. Victory against outgoing champions Neptunes Vodafone and a fairy-tale ending to the Blues' season would have been sweet for the numerous Sliema fans who set the National Pool alight with their festive mood, complemented by a possee of banners, all displaying apt messages.
However, the Reds, who eyed this match as a prestige encounter and one to make their pill less bitter, after their season had been compounded by the unfortunate mishap to Steve Camilleri, their most influential player, played solidly to finally take 'platonic revenge' on their sporting rivals and slightly dent their celebrations.
The indications at the beginning of the match were that the Blues would be good enough to pin down their rivals, even if the exchanges were very balanced. In fact, Sliema always conducted the match scorewise until two minutes into the closing session when Neptunes finally forged ahead only to keep their noses in front and eventually beat the Blues by a wider margin.
Igor Gocanin's team won the first session 3-2 but Neptunes, who yesterday were well-served by their trio of foreigners Adam Decker, Milan Aleksic and Ivan Zanetic, all helped by their concentrated team-mates, pulled back to equalise only for Sliema to open a two-goal advantage for the second time.
It had been press to swift shifting to double cover on the centre from both sides. Both teams, especially Sliema, lost good scoring chances on man-up sets with Neptunes contriving to miss a penalty. Zanetic reached his hat-trick to restore parity on 5-5 before the Blues took the lead through Clint Debono. The earlier scorers for Sliema had been Raymond Fodor (2) and John Soler (3).
But Neptunes equalised through Decker before the end of the third session. Michele Stellini helped the Reds take the lead for the first time after which the Blues grew sluggish and bereft of their normal shooting accuracy.
Neptunes kept their nerves and pounced effectively when in possession. Two further goals rewarded their efforts and brought warm applause from their fans who were not at their massive best yesterday.
The end of the game, though, sparked rejoicing from the Blues' section, both on the pool deck and in the water when captain Josie Cachia was presented with the new BOV Cup in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Clyde Puli. The party reached its peak and continued on the way to the club premises.
Indeed, it was a memorable season for the Blues.
Sliema
J. Cachia, J. Gabaretta, E. Aquilina, R. Fodor 2, M. Meli, J. Soler 3, D. Paolella, J. Brownrigg, C. Debono 1, J. Valletta, J. Falzon, O. Frick, R. Coleiro.
Neptunes
N. Gouder, A. Decker 2, M. Aleksic 2, K. Galea 1, E. Cachia, M. Zammit, J. Paris, I. Zanetic 3, D. Camilleri, N. Lanzon, R. Sciortino, M. Stellini 1, M. Pisani.
Referees: A. Pascucci, I. Sciriha.
Ta' Xbiex through to semi-final
Marsascala 6
Ta' Xbiex 10
(4-2, 0-3, 2-3, 0-2)
Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise banked on their experience and rigid press tactics, as well as their superior shooting ability, to oust younger opponents Marsascala Ocean and Sky from the Division Two knock-out competition. They thus proceed to the semi-final against Marsaxlokk on Thursday.
The team composed of several veterans were three goals down in the first minutes but gradually they recovered to go ahead late in the second quarter.
From then on, they never looked back with the old warhorses Roman Polacik, Marco Manara and Charlie Zammit scoring three and two goals respectively.
In the final reckoning, Ta' Xbiex's 10-6 victory was deserved.
Marsascala
I. Bugeja, C. Gialanze, F. Valenti 3, A. Tringali, M. Borg Spiteri 1, L. Grixti, J. Licari 2, J. Cremona, S. Micallef, J.C. Cutajar, D. Cassar, M. Spiteri, S. Farrugia.
Ta' Xbiex
A. Bianchi, J. Tabone, M. Manara 2, G. Desira Buttigieg, K. Engerer, W. Privitera, P. Paolella 1, R. Polacik 3, T. Debono 1, C. Zammit 2, J. Surim 1, A. Tanti, D. Pisani.
Referees: A. DeRaffaele, M. Angilleri.
Next fixtures
Wednesday: Division One KO SF 6.45 p.m. San Ġiljan vs Sliema.
Thursday: Division Two KO SF 5.30 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Ta' Xbiex. Division One KO SF 6.45 p.m. Neptunes vs Sirens.
Finals: Sunday, Sept. 7.